Over 60 Percent of Indonesian Brides- and Grooms-to-Be Skip Premarital Medical Check-ups: Why?

Weddings are often synonymous with preparations for venues, catering, decorations, and pre-wedding photo sessions. Yet amidst these various arrangements, one thing is frequently overlooked: the health of the bride- and groom-to-be. In fact, health conditions before marriage can affect the couple’s quality of life, pregnancy planning, and even the future health of their children. Unfortunately, public awareness in Indonesia regarding premarital health check-ups remains relatively low. Data from the National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN) for 2023 shows that only 39.7% of prospective couples of reproductive age in Indonesia underwent health screening before marriage, well below the national target of 80%. So, what exactly is a premarital check-up and why is it important? A premarital check-up is a series of health examinations conducted before marriage to help couples understand their health conditions from the outset. This examination not only includes routine blood tests but may also cover screening for infectious diseases such as HIV, hepatitis, and syphilis; blood type and Rhesus factor checks; reproductive health and fertility evaluations; genetic disease screening such as for thalassaemia; and examinations related to pregnancy planning. By knowing their health conditions earlier, couples can take appropriate preventive or treatment measures before entering married life. The low rate of premarital screening in Indonesia is influenced by various factors. Many prospective brides and grooms feel they are healthy and therefore do not need to be examined, while others worry about the results that might be found. Cost is also often a consideration, even though various screening packages with differing scopes are now available. In addition, many people still do not understand that the purpose of premarital screening is not to find fault or hinder the marriage, but rather to identify health risks that could affect the partner or family in the future. In fact, health checks before marriage actually provide an opportunity to take anticipatory steps earlier. The majority of health professionals recommend that premarital check-ups be conducted around three to six months before the wedding, so that if certain conditions are found, there is still time for consultation, treatment, vaccination, lifestyle changes, or necessary follow-up examinations. This way, couples can enter marriage with a more monitored health status and better readiness to plan their future together. Marriage is one of the biggest decisions in life. Therefore, preparations must be made thoroughly, including from a health perspective. Do not wait until symptoms appear or health problems are discovered later. Undertake a premarital check-up as part of a long-term health investment for yourself, your partner, and the family you will build.